DYEING AND DRESSING OF FURS 83 



verdigris and gall nuts. The seal dye is both brushed in by hand 

 and the fur dipped. From 12 to 14 final coats are brushed in by 

 hand to give the fine lustre. Perhaps this may explain why real 

 seal comes so high in price ; for few of the expert workers charge 

 less than $100 a week. The excellence of Germany's treatment 

 of muskrat and lamb is ascribed to the quality of the running water 

 and the softness of the climate ; but I doubt this time-honored 

 explanation ; for no process on earth to-day excels the American 

 system used in Brooklyn and Newark, where both the climate and 

 running water differ from Germany's. 



Reference has been made to the grading of furs before sale at 

 the great auctions. Graders and sorters are also among the most 

 highly paid fur workers. The grading and sorting differ for each 

 fur. Beaver is graded — Large, Small, Medium, Cubs. Skunk is 

 graded — Skunk and Civet Cat, then as to primeness of fur. House 

 cats are graded — Black, Spotted, Small ; and for people who pity 

 pussy, it is well to remember the feathered songsters of our gardens, 

 who rejoice that the high price of furs has practically exterminated 

 the stray, ownerless cat. Fishers are graded — Dark, Medium, 

 Brownish. Red foxes are graded first as to whence they come, 

 Labrador, Alaska, Nova Scotia ; then as to Large, Medium, Small. 

 Mink also are first graded as to their habitat, second as to Quality, 

 Color, Large, Medium, Small. Otter are graded as to habitat, then 

 as to Quality down to four sizes, then as to Color, then as Large, 

 Small, Medium. 



It is interesting to compare three great authorities on American 

 furs as to the numbers of each kind of fur demanded by the annual 

 market; and yet with a whim of fashion, the figures correct for 

 to-day may be erroneous for to-morrow. Petersen, a great authority 

 on American furs, and Hornaday, the great authority on natural 

 life, give the following totals. To these are added the totals of 

 certain furs yearly sold in London, and the total of furs yearly 

 sold in the entire world, as given by Brass. Brass is a great world 

 authority on world production. 



